1. If you are a Union Member (SAG, AEA, AFTRA), by all means list that under your name on your resume. Do not put "Non-Union", "SAG-Eligible," "AFTRA Eligible," "Financial Core." I believe if you are an Equity Member Candidate, then it's okay to list "EMC." The reason is you are either in the Unions, or an EMC, and have permission to list those affiliations or not in the Unions yet, in which case there is no reason to list anything. If you list non-Union, it sounds like you are anti-Union. Same with Financial Core. SAG & AFTRA Eligible are great but not legal.
2. Your name should be big and bold on your resume. Be proud of it!
3. Don't list your address. Ever. All we need is email and a phone number. Website and Agency contact is great as well.
4. The only stats we need for Theatre resumes are Height, Hair, Eyes and Voice. For Film, TV and Commercial resumes you can add Weight. No measurements. That's for modeling.
5. Attach your resume to the back of your headshot with the resume out, so when a CD flips your picture, your resume is what they see. My biggest pet peeve is when Actors staple their headshot and resume like a packet. Don't do that. It's a rookie mistake. You want to be perceived as a professional. My preferred method is a staple in all 4 corners. And make sure you write your contact info on the back of your resume if you don't have an Agency bug on the front of your headshot.
6. Only list actual Stage, Film, TV, Commercial, Voice credits. Don't list readings and never list extra work. I want to know that you have actually gone through a full rehearsal/production process for plays and that you had actual lines or were the principal character in a shot if no dialogue.
7. Standard info for credits should be in this order: Play or Film title followed by character name (Stage) or type of role, i.e. lead, supporting, featured (Film). Next is Theatre Company not the venue, followed by the director.
8. Education should be after credits and before special skills.
Break a leg!
